NPR

The Global Gap In Health Care Dollars For Young And Old Is Huge

The U.S. has one kind of gap. The developing world has another, as a new report points out.
Source: Brittany Mayes

The United States spends a lot of money taking care of the health needs of old people.

In 2010, for example, each person 65 and older received $18,424 in health care services. That's five times more than the $3,628 in spending per child under 18, and three times more than the $6,125 per working-age adult, according to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.

"In the developed world, people live longer with very intense disease, professor at Columbia University's Aging Center.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR9 min readCrime & Violence
Students And Civil Rights Groups Blast Police Response To Campus Protests
Students say they suffered broken bones, concussions and other injuries from allegedly aggressive police action breaking up pro-Palestinian protests last week.
NPR2 min read
Biden Warns He'll Halt Israel Weapons Shipments; The Kendrick And Drake Beef Explained
Biden says he will halt additional weapons shipments to Israel if it proceeds with a major ground offensive in Rafah. NPR music editor Sheldon Pearce breaks down the Kendrick Lamar/Drake beef.
NPR2 min read
El Niño Is On The Way Out After A Record-breaking Year Of Heat
El Niño helped drive global average temperatures to new records over the last year. Forecasters say it's waning, but that 2024 may still be one for the record books.

Related Books & Audiobooks